• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: Yamaha Motion Bass

moon-bass

moon-bass

They call me El Jefe .. El Jefe del groove
Supporting Member
May 10, 2004
5,697
10,521
USA, New Orleans
#1
When I was a kid (very poor), I used to visit the local mall music store. There wasn't much of a selection of basses, but they did have a Yamaha Motion Bass that I used to play from time to time.

FFWD to a few weeks ago, saw this one for sale, owner said it had a big scratch on the front - looked pretty bad from the pics. But, bought it and got it, and lo and behold, the "scratch" was drywall dust (I think) that rubbed right off. Some clean up, new knobs and straplocks, and it's in great shape!

32" scale, dual humbuckers with coil tap, great shape, loads of fun - what's not to love?
 

Attachments

  • 20210811_155540.jpg
    20210811_155540.jpg
    553.4 KB · Views: 451
  • Like
Reactions: Goatrope, Ricky Rioli, Rabidhamster and 16 others
#4
Caley2000 said:
I’ve just picked up one of these from a Brisbane shop, stepping up from my Ibanez “learner bass” (also 32”). Chose it mostly for the aesthetic (I’m an 80s girl) but what an upgrade!
View attachment 4434138View attachment 4434139
Click to expand...
Love it so far. Being an 80's kid myself, I've been slowly buying (and for the most part selling) basses that I listed after as a kid. But this one is a keeper!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Caley2000, stuntbass77 and Lammchop93
#5
Great score!
I have never played one of these, but they seem to come up for sale more often than most other medium scale basses. Other than the stylized "Motion" graphic on the front, I really like the looks of these, especially in black.
I'm also curious now about the nut width, string spacing and neck shape, so I'll be off to Google in a min...
 
  • Like
Reactions: moon-bass
#6
kjp360 said:
Other than the stylized "Motion" graphic on the front, I really like the looks of these, especially in black.
Click to expand...

I think it was the graphics that got me :roflmao: They’re 1987 perfection!
407D10B9-F2BE-4BC7-869A-3F11FDE0758A.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: ColdEye, Ricky Rioli, blastoff99 and 2 others
#9
moon-bass said:
When I was a kid (very poor), I used to visit the local mall music store. There wasn't much of a selection of basses, but they did have a Yamaha Motion Bass that I used to play from time to time.

FFWD to a few weeks ago, saw this one for sale, owner said it had a big scratch on the front - looked pretty bad from the pics. But, bought it and got it, and lo and behold, the "scratch" was drywall dust (I think) that rubbed right off. Some clean up, new knobs and straplocks, and it's in great shape!

32" scale, dual humbuckers with coil tap, great shape, loads of fun - what's not to love?
Click to expand...
It’s great to get something you wanted from childhood, isn’t it?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Caley2000 and moon-bass
#16
Years ago (1986 I think?) the first rock show I ever played was opening for a regional band called Sidewinder in NC. (Several of their members have gone on to become some of the most sought after sidemen in the business, including Audley Freed and Robert Kearns who have toured with dozens of artists and are currently in Sheryl Crow's band.)

That night Robert (bass) played the first set on a on a BC Rich bass that had been totally customized by Roscoe. Then in the second set he came out with a Yamaha Motion bass that was bleach white. He had a black light on him and that bass just JUMPED off the stage aesthetically. It was a ridiculously cool look. But what really knocked me over was the TONE of that little beast! He was rocking a Mesa 400+ and two Mesa 15s (which I got to use for our set). A few months later he also had a lavender one.

Good memories.

Awesome bass @moon-bass !!!! (and others)
 
  • Like
Reactions: moon-bass and Ricky Rioli
#17
FrenchBassQC said:
Nathan East used one for a recording of an album with Lari Basilio in 2019 View attachment 4435514
Click to expand...

Actually that's his (custom) signature Motion bass. It has a unique active EQ.
I THINK it's a 32" scale, but I could be wrong. Certainly looked slightly shorter next to his regular signature 5. It has been his main recording bass for years. Sadly, it was never available for sale - I wanted one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ricky Rioli

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back